Drivers win races in bikes – race bikes, that is – with regularity. So why is it news that a reinsman recorded a victory on a bike on Labour Day? Well, this type of victory isn’t exactly a regular one at a raceway.
The Labour Day bike race at Batavia Downs is a tradition that goes back to 1979 and is an event that many of the locals look forward to. This year it was held on Monday (September 7) and the eight drivers going postward were (from the pylons out) Shawn McDonough, Rock Vinci, Lee Dahn, Bradley Jackson, Wade Tomaszewski, Denny Bucceri, Mickey Holliday and last year’s winner, Drew Monti.
It was an uncharacteristically hot and humid 91 degrees as the drivers lined up behind the gate at the quarter pole and the group was sweating before the start. They followed the car to the top of the turn (where the official start was) and pedaled away in a flurry as the wings closed to initiate the contest.
(Please note that the race starts at the 5:48 mark in the video)
Denny Bucceri sped out to the early lead and set the pace to the top of the stretch. At that point, Rock Vinci came out of the pack to take the front from Bucceri. But his advantage didn’t last long, as Holliday swung four-high and barrelled down the lane to score a convincing three-length victory. Bradley Jackson snuck up the rail for second and Vinci hung on for third.
Holliday made sure to pedal all the way to the wire this year; a mistake that cost him the win in 2014 when he pulled up thinking he had the race won.
It was the second time Holliday has won the race besides the second-place finish last year.
After the race, Holliday randomly selected eight names from his supporters who chose him to win and presented each of them one of the bikes used in the race.
The annual bike race was sponsored by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield, NY.
(Batavia Downs)
